Supporting unpaid carers

Are you an unpaid carer visiting St George’s with someone you support?

Are you an unpaid carer supporting someone at St George’s? This page, co-designed with carers, offers resources to make your visit easier.

What is an unpaid carer?

Unpaid carers provide practical, personal, and emotional support to someone who couldn’t manage without their help. This may include tasks such as shopping, cleaning, cooking, laundering of clothes, assisting with medication, managing money, attending appointments, managing medication, or offering emotional support. Unlike paid care workers, carers do this out of love and responsibility, not for payment.

Unpaid carers at St George’s

Carers play a vital role during outpatient visits, inpatient stays, or procedures, and we’re here to support you:

• Join consultations and tests with consent and where safe.
• Speak on behalf of the person you support, with their permission.
• Request to stay with them during hospital stays, where practical.
• Let us know about other responsibilities you have so we can better support you.
• Share feedback to help us improve our services.
• If you can, let us know in advance that you’re coming, or tell us when you arrive.

How we support carers

• Tailored assistance for special needs or challenges.
• Information about local organisations and services.
• Support to access benefits, respite care, and transport.

Carer’s Assessment

If you regularly care for someone aged 18 or over, you are entitled to a Carers Assessment through your local Social Services . This review evaluates your caregiving situation and identifies support available to make your role easier.

• Assessments can take place at your home, the person’s home, or a neutral location like a Carers Centre.
• A diary of your caregiving tasks can help highlight your daily responsibilities.

How to Get a Carer’s Assessment in Wandsworth and Merton

• Wandsworth Adult Carers: Call the Access Team at 020 8871 7707 or email accessteam@wandsworth.gov.uk.
• Wandsworth Young Carers: Contact Children’s Specialist Services at 020 8871 6622 or mash@wandsworth.gov.uk.
• Merton Carers: Contact Carers First Merton at 0300 303 1555.

For other boroughs, check the Carers Contact Sheet.

Taking care of yourself

We understand that often unpaid carers can be so preoccupied with the health and wellbeing of the person they are caring for, that they sometimes forget to take care of themselves and their own needs. Please remember that your health and wellbeing is important too.

We have put together some useful information to help you take better care of yourself.

• Caring can be full-time, so regular breaks are essential for your wellbeing.
• Small changes like adding fruit, drinking water, and cutting down on sugary foods can boost your energy. Don’t forget to treat yourself occasionally!
• Light exercises like walking, gardening, or dancing can help reduce fatigue and boost energy.
• Sleep is crucial for your health. Limit caffeine and alcohol later in the day and try relaxing before bed with a bath or herbal tea.
• If you feel stressed or low, seek support from a doctor or counselling service. Caring is rewarding but can also be challenging—don’t hesitate to ask for help.

What is an NHS Carers Health Check?

The 30-minute Carers Health Check is a free phone call to discuss your health and well-being, including:

• Smoking, diet, weight, alcohol use, and physical activity.
• Mental health and financial support needs.

You’ll receive guidance and connections to local services to help and support you.

Unpaid carers are twice as likely to experience poor health. This service is designed to reduce the strain of caring and support your well-being.

How to book a Carers NHS Health Check?

Visit Health Checks for Carers.

For Wandsworth visit Carers NHS Health Check

For tips on staying active, eating healthily, and more, visit Wandsworth Carers’ Centre.

St George’s and Epsom and St Helier (GESH) Carers Forum

The Forum is a group of unpaid carers, both current and former. They meet quarterly to share their experience of caring, and to exchange useful information and ideas.

We want to hear from unpaid carers, we want to listen to, and support unpaid carers, offering opportunities to meet other unpaid carers.  By being involved you can have the opportunity to influence our services.

The Forum works to help shape its patient services. We want to improve the support available to young unpaid carers and adult unpaid carers.

If you would like to be part of the GESH Carers Forum, please contact esth.patientexperienceteam@nhs.net

Further Support

Carers’ Stories – Carers Trust

A Caring Mind – A blog for carers of mental health and cancer

This has been created by a member of multiple groups who works closely with various trusts and carer organisations.